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Biomedical subjects

T Goto

Publications and source records attributed to T Goto.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources

Horizontal canal input to upper cervical commissural neurons.

We studied in decerebrate, paralyzed cats, the effect of sinusoidal yaw rotation on upper cervical commissural neurons. The activity of some neurons was modulated by this stimulus, and they were classified as receiving input from the horizontal semicircular canal. The responses, which were mainly type II, were well correlated with the velocity of the stimulus. These commissural neurons, some of them propriospinal, transmit horizontal canal signals to the contralateral ventral horn, presumably to motoneurons, as well as to more caudal levels of the spinal cord.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical localization of cathepsins B, D and L in the rat osteoclast.

Immunohistochemical localization of cathepsins B, D and L in the osteoclasts of rat alveolar and femoral bones was investigated by using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method for semithin, 1-micron-thick cryosections. Extracellular immunoreactivity for cathepsins B and L was clearly demonstrated along the bone resorption lacunae; the intensity of the extracellular immunoreactivity of cathepsin L was stronger than that of cathepsin B. However, the intracellular immunoreactivity of both cathepsins was weak compared with that of cathepsin D. The intracellular immunoreactivity of cathepsin D in the osteoclasts was clearly observed in the granules and/or vacuoles, but extracellular cathepsin D immunoreactivity was either negligible or not detected along the resorption lacunae. In the adjacent sections stained with anti-cathepsin L or D, extensive extracellular deposition of cathepsin L was found along the bone resorption lacunae, with or without osteoclasts, although the intracellular reactivity of cathepsin L was weak. This is the first morphological study in which cathepsins B and L have been demonstrated to be produced in the osteoclasts and extensively secreted into resorption lacunae, and in which cathepsin D was found to be present in the cells but scantily secreted into the lacunae. These findings suggest that cathepsins B and L directly and effectively participate in the degradation of the bone matrix.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of simian immunodeficiency virus from African white-crowned mangabey monkeys (Cercocebus torquatus lunulatus).

Forty-eight of 236 sera from seven species of African non-human primates in Kenya, including those of white-crowned mangabey monkeys (Cercocebus torquatus lunulatus) had antibodies to simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). Isolates of simian lentivirus were obtained from seropositive white-crowned mangabey monkeys which are indigenous in West Africa. This virus, designated as SIVWCM, appeared morphologically similar to HIV by electron microscopy, showed Mg(2+)-dependent reverse transcriptase activity, and induced cytopathic effects in human CD4-positive cells. Western blotting analysis revealed that env products of SIVWCM cross-reacted with those of SIVAGM more strongly than with those of HIV-1 and SIVMAC, and clear hybridization bands were detected with an SIVAGM probe. For comparison of the virus sequence with those of other primate lentiviruses, part of the pol gene and the long terminal repeats (LTRs) were amplified and cloned. Sequencing showed that SIVWCM isolates were closely related to SIVAGM isolates. This study suggested that SIVAGM from the Cercopithecus genus and SIVWCM from the Cercocebus genus may be members of an SIV group that is genetically distinct from the SIV from a sooty mangabey monkey (SIVSMM) of the genus Cercocebus, to which the white-crowned mangabey monkey also belongs.

Animals↗

The role of adrenocortical scintigraphy in the evaluation of unilateral incidentally discovered adrenal and juxtaadrenal masses.

We reviewed the findings of adrenocortical scintigraphy with 131I-6-beta-iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol (NCL-6-131I) of 39 patients to clarify its role in the evaluation of unilateral adrenal or juxtaadrenal masses incidentally discovered by CT, ultrasonography or plain radiography. Twenty-seven benign adrenal masses showed various scintigraphic findings (hot nodule: 12 silent adenomas, warm nodule: one solid mass, normal appearance: one cyst and 2 solid masses, diffuse decrease: each one; solid mass, myelolipoma, ganglioneuroma and calcified adrenal and partial or complete defect: each one; solid mass, myelolipoma and ganglioneuroma and 2 cysts and 2 pheochromocytomas); while a partial or complete defect was shown in a nonfunctioning carcinoma and 3 metastases and a complete defect or inhomogeneous uptake without opposite adrenal visualization was shown in 2 patients with cortisol-producing carcinoma. Therefore a hot nodule and an inhomogeneous uptake or complete defect with nonvisualization of the opposite adrenal are specific to a benign tumor and a cortisol-producing carcinoma, respectively. The impaired tumor uptake of NCL-6-131I is a nonspecific finding. The scintigraphic findings of juxtaadrenal masses were normal in 4 and deviated adrenals in 2. Thus adrenocortical scintigraphy can identify silent adenomas and cortisol-producing carcinomas among the adrenal masses and may help to differentiate juxtaadrenal from adrenal masses.

19-Iodocholesterol↗

Sustained effects of plasma norepinephrine levels on femoral-radial pressure gradient after cardiopulmonary bypass.

In order to determine the influence of the sympathetic nervous system upon the femoral-radial artery pressure gradient after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), we examined plasma norepinephrine levels in 34 adult male patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Cardiovascular parameters, including systolic arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure, cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), hemoglobin (Hb) and peak dP/dt of radial and femoral artery pressures were measured after sternotomy, and immediately after the discontinuation of CPB and 90 min after CPB. Plasma norepinephrine levels were measured after sternotomy, after aortic declamping and 90 min after CPB. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 17 patients whose femoral minus radial systolic pressure difference was 15 mmHg or more at 90 min after CPB, while Group B consisted of 17 patients with the difference less than 15 mmHg. Group A patients had significantly longer time values in the duration of both CPB (Group A 175 +/- 10 min; Group B 115 +/- 12 min, P < 0.001) and aortic cross clamping (Group A 116 +/- 7 min, Group B 71 +/- 9 min, P < 0.001). Although there was no significant difference in Hb or PAP of 90 min after CPB in Groups A and B, the following values, listed in the order of A to B, were obtained; CI, 2.79 +/- 0.10 versus 3.46 +/- 0.16 l.min(-1).m(-2) (P < 0.01); mean radial artery pressure (MRP), 58.7 +/- 2.4 versus 65.1 +/- 1.8 mmHg (P < 0.05); peak dP/dt of radial artery pressure, 568 +/- 64 versus 1026 +/- 61 mmHg.sec(-1) (P < 0.001); and plasma norepinephrine concentration, 1.81 +/- 0.25 versus 0.98 +/- 0.10 ng.ml(-1) (P < 0.01), which were statistically significant. The higher femoral-radial artery pressure gradient after CPB was observed in patients with both a longer CPB time and a higher plasma norepinephrine concentration. These results suggest that a marked constriction of peripheral arteries might have produced a damped transmission of the pressure pulse to the radial artery.

Journal Article↗

Structure and biosynthesis of anthocyanins in flowers of Campanula.

Blue-flowering genotypes of Campanula were classified into four phenotypes on the basis of the anthocyanin composition of their flowers. The flowers contained one, two, three or four of the following anthocyanins: bisdeacylplatyconin (7-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-3-O-(6-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-D- glucopyranosyl)delphinidin), violdelphin (7-O-(6-O-(4-O-(6-O-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-oxybenz oyl)-beta- D-glucopyranosyl)-3-O-(6-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ) delphinidin), an unknown anthocyanin and campanin (7-O-(6-O-(4-O-(6-O-(4-O-(6-O-p-hydroxybenzoyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl) oxybenzoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxybenzoyl)-beta-D-glucopy ranosyl)-3-O-(6-O- (alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)delphinidin). The structure of the unknown anthocyanin has been determined as 7-O-(6-O-(4-O-(6-O-(4-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxybenzoyl)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl)oxybenzoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-3-O-(6-O-(alpha- L- rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-delphinidin, i.e. monodeacylcampanin. The genetic evidence is consistent with a biosynthetic pathway in which bisdeacylplatyconin, violdelphin and monodeacylcampanin are intermediates in the biosynthesis of campanin.

Anthocyanins↗

Recurrent appearance of 14q+ chromosome associated with lymphoid crisis of Ph-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia.

The 14q+ chromosomal anomaly commonly found in cases of lymphoid neoplasm recurrently occurred during the lymphoid crisis of a patient with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). At presentation lymphoblasts, with pre-B phenotype increased, and both the Ph and 14q+ were found in the same metaphases. After treatment with vincristine and prednisolone, the patient entered into the chronic phase, and only a Ph was detected in 100% of the cells examined. The 14q+ reappeared at the recurrence of the lymphoid crisis, and then disappeared in the second chronic phase. The BCR/ABL mRNA, which is specific for CML, was detected in the blastic cells by a method using reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction. The rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (JH gene) was also detected in the blastic cells. These results suggest that the 14q+ was closely associated with the lymphoid crisis of the CML patient.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Carbonic anhydrase III content in various equine muscles.

1. In this study, carbonic anhydrase III (CA-III) content in 18 equine muscles was determined by enzyme immunoassay. 2. It was found to differ in several muscles. 3. That in external intercostal muscle, rectus abdominis muscle and splenius muscle from four horses was very high. 4. Although the masseter muscle had only type I fibers, CA-III content was similar to that in mixed-fiber type muscles such as the biceps femoris muscle. 5. It thus appear that equine type I fibers can be further subgrouped.

Animals↗

Novel immunization protocol and ELISA screening methods used to obtain and characterize monoclonal antibodies specific for human light chain variable-region subgroups.

We have developed a novel immunization protocol for the production of a panel of high-affinity murine monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) that are specific for each of the major human kappa and lambda light chain variable-region (VL) subgroups. Mice were injected with heat-precipitated human Bence Jones proteins or VL-related fragments emulsified in monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and trehalose dimycolate (TDM) at two- to four-week intervals over a seven-month period. A unique direct capturing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) employing biotinylated monoclonal light chains was designed to select optimally immunized animals for hybridoma preparation and to screen culture supernatants for high-affinity anti-VL MoAbs. These methods have led to the generation of MoAbs that by ELISA react specifically with each of the four V kappa subgroups--V kappa I, V kappa II, V kappa III, and V kappa IV or five V lambda subgroups--V lambda I, V lambda II/V, V lambda III, V lambda IV, and V lambda VI. These reagents have been used successfully to establish, on the basis of VL subgroup, the monoclonal nature of serum or urinary immunoglobulins as well as those found in the cytoplasm or on the cell surface of monoclonal plasma cell or B-lymphocyte populations, respectively. The availability of anti-VL subgroup-specific MoAbs will facilitate the immunodiagnosis and study of patients with multiple myeloma, AL amyloidosis, and related B-cell proliferative disorders.

Amyloidosis↗

Production and immunodiagnostic applications of antihuman light chain monoclonal antibodies.

Hybridomas producing antihuman light chain monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were derived from fusion of SP2/O mouse myeloma cells with splenic lymphocytes from mice repeatedly immunized with purified kappa- and lambda-type Bence Jones proteins representative of the major V kappa (V kappa I, V kappa II, V kappa III, V kappa IV) and V lambda (V lambda I, V lambda II/V, V lambda III, V lambda IV, V lambda VI) subgroups or gene families. Monoclonal antibodies were obtained that had specificity for constant-region (CL) determinants common to all kappa or lambda light chains (C kappa and C lambda, respectively) as well as for variable-region (VL) epitopes unique to each of the V kappa or V lambda subgroups. The capability of these reagents to recognize CL and VL determinants on monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules was demonstrated in fluid-phase antigen-capturing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), solid-phase ELISA, and immunoblotting. In addition, these antilight chain MoAbs were used to establish immunocytochemically the kappa or lambda type and VL-subgroup nature of light chains expressed by the cytoplasmic Ig of monoclonal plasma cell and surface Ig of B-lymphocyte populations, respectively. These antibodies facilitated the immunohistochemical detection and characterization of light-chain-associated amyloid (AL amyloid) and other types of light-chain-related tissue deposits. Furthermore, the anti-CL-specific MoAbs were used to measure serum and urinary Ig kappa and Ig lambda concentrations. Quantification of Bence Jones protein excretion, even in the presence of other urinary proteins, was possible using the highly sensitive anti-C kappa and anti-C lambda MoAbs reactive only with free light chains. The ability to identify and characterize, through the use of these antihuman light chain MoAbs, light-chain-related epitopes at the protein, cellular, and tissue level has clinical importance in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with monoclonal plasma cell and related B-cell immunoproliferative diseases.

Amyloidosis↗

Diagnosis of genital herpes by polymerase chain reaction amplification.

A new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method employing type-specific primers and probes was applied to 114 clinical specimens obtained from 58 female patients with genital lesions or who had a history of genital herpes. Ten and 15 specimens, respectively, were positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and HSV-2 by cell culture. All of 10 culture-confirmed HSV-1 cases and 11 of 15 (73%) culture-confirmed HSV-2 cases were identified by PCR. Although there were several cases with discrepancy between cell culture and PCR for HSV-2, the results suggest that this PCR procedure could be applied to clinical specimens from the female genital tract.

Base Sequence↗

PML/RAR alpha fusion gene is expressed in both granuloid/macrophage and erythroid colonies in acute promyelocytic leukaemia.

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) associated with a t(15;17) translocation generates a PML/RAR alpha chimaeric gene which is transcribed as a fusion PML/RAR alpha mRNA. To clarify the pathophysiologic role of PML/RAR alpha in APL patients, we examined the expression of PML/RAR alpha in haemopoietic colonies in five patients with APL by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. By the two-step RT-PCR method, we demonstrated that PML/RAR alpha positive clones were present in progenitor cells including both CFU-GM and BFU-E in two cases. This result suggests that the translocation of PML/RAR alpha occurred in a pluripotent stem cell in some APL patients. In four patients we detected two amplified cDNA fragments of 780 and 640 bp which presumably arose by alternative splicing of the PML gene. Interestingly, of CFU-GM and BFU-E colonies examined in four patients, there were three different types of colonies: those expressing only the 780 bp fragment, those expressing only the 640 bp fragment, and those expressing both fragments. This suggests that alternative splicing was clonally determined in each colony. We describe a useful RT-PCR technique for the study of gene expression in a limited number of haemopoietic precursor cells.

Adult↗

[Seroepidemiological study on hepatitis C virus infection in an endemic area of hepatitis C virus].

To clarify the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in a rural area with high incidence of chronic liver disease in Japan, sera from 412 inhabitants, aged 20-89 years, collected in 1989-1990 and sera from 483 inhabitants in the same area, collected in 1982 were tested for anti-HCV (antibody to C100-3) with the first-generation enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay (ELISA). In addition, sera from 118 inhabitants, aged 20-49 years, collected in 1989-1990 were tested for HCV-RNA with the polymerase chain reaction technique, with use of primers from the 5'-untranslated region of the HCV genome. Anti-HCV was positive in 175 out of 412 sera collected in 1989-1990 (42.5%): prevalence was higher in male (54.0%) than in female (34.9%). The prevalence rates in the 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70-89 year-old group were 0%, 14.3%, 51.9%, 41.7%, 49.1%, and 53.1%, respectively. On the other hand, in sera collected in 1982, the overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 42.5% (175 of 412). The prevalence rates in the 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70-89 year-old group were 12.5%, 43.3%, 51.5%, 50.3%, 60.7%, and 68.9%, respectively. The prevalence rate of young adults less than 40 years old in 1982 were higher than that in 1989-1990. In short, the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in this area had altered a great deal. HCV-RAN was detected in 42 of 118 (35.6%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Correlation of serum antibody titers against hepatitis C virus core protein with clinical features by western blot (immunoblot) analysis using a recombinant vaccinia virus expression system.

In order to study the relationships among the clinical features of hepatitis C patients, the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in their blood, and their serum antibody titers against the core protein of virus and to study the antibody levels in asymptomatic HCV carriers, a recombinant vaccinia virus containing a core protein gene was constructed. The recombinant virus expressed a protein with a molecular mass of 22 kDa in RK-13 cells as determined by Western blot (immunoblot) analysis. By using the cell lysate of virus-infected cells and serially diluted serum samples, core antibody titers in the groups of patients in the chronic hepatitis phase and in the convalescent phase as well as in asymptomatic carriers were determined by enhanced chemiluminescence Western blot analysis. Almost all patients in the chronic phase were shown to have high antibody titers of more than 1:500,000 and with no exception had of HCV RNA in their sera. On the other hand, patients who had recovered naturally and were in the convalescent phase were shown to have significantly lower antibody titers, and the antibody was not detected in the lowest serum dilution of 1:500 in 43% of these patients (three of seven total patients). Antibody levels of patients who showed a good response to interferon treatment decreased to intermediate levels between those of patients in the chronic phase and those of patients in convalescent phase. The antibody titers in asymptomatic carriers varied considerably from 1:500,000 to 1:500, and 41% (11 of 27 total individuals) of these carriers showed a high titer equivalent to that of those in the chronic phase. Core antibody was detected consistently in the individuals in whom HCV RNA was detected. This system for core antibody might be useful for identifying the stage of an apparent HCV infection.

Base Sequence↗

Responses of caudal medullary raphe neurons to natural vestibular stimulation.

1. Over two thirds of caudal medullary raphespinal neurons respond to electrical stimulation of the vestibular nerve, and it has been suggested that these neurons may participate in the generation of vestibulospinal and vestibulosympathetic reflexes. The objective of the present study was to determine which vestibular endorgans (semicircular canals or otolith organs) provide inputs to these cells. 2. Experiments were conducted on decerebrate cats that were baroreceptor denervated and vagotomized, and that had a cervical spinal cord transection so that inputs from tilt-sensitive receptors outside of the labyrinth did not influence the units we recorded. 3. In most experiments, vertical vestibular stimulation was used to stimulate the anterior and posterior semicircular canals and the otolith organs. The plane of whole body rotation that produced maximal modulation of a neuron's firing rate (response vector orientation) was measured at one or more frequencies between 0.1 and 0.5 Hz. Neuron dynamics were then studied with sinusoidal (0.02-1 Hz) stimuli aligned with this orientation. Alternatively, in two animals horizontal rotations at 0.5 and 1.0 Hz were employed to stimulate the horizontal semicircular canals. 4. The properties of raphespinal neurons were similar to those of a larger sample of raphe neurons studied that either could not be antidromically activated from the cervical spinal cord or were not tested for a spinal projection. In response to vertical vestibular stimulation, > 85% of caudal medullary raphe neurons had response gains that remained relatively constant across stimulus frequencies, like regularly firing otolith afferents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Afferent Pathways↗

Relation of phasic coronary flow velocity profile to clinical and hemodynamic characteristics of patients with aortic valve disease.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to assess phasic coronary blood flow and velocity characteristics of the proximal portion of the left anterior descending artery and to evaluate their relation to the clinical and hemodynamic manifestations in patients with aortic valve disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined 26 patients with chronic aortic regurgitation (AR), 12 patients with predominant aortic stenosis (AS), and 11 control subjects using an intravascular Doppler catheter with spectral analysis. Angiographic assessment of AR identified 10 patients with mild regurgitation and 16 with severe regurgitation. The resting systolic coronary flow velocity-time integral (VTI) was significantly higher and the diastolic VTI was slightly but significantly higher in patients with severe regurgitation than in those with mild regurgitation (11.8 +/- 4.2 vs 4.1 +/- 1.1 cm, P < .001; 18.5 +/- 5.8 vs 13.2 +/- 3.2 cm, P < .05) and control subjects (4.0 +/- 1.0 cm, P < .001 and 13.3 +/- 3.6 cm, P < .05), respectively. Patients with AS had a slightly lower resting systolic VTI (3.8 +/- 1.4 cm) and a higher diastolic VTI (14.6 +/- 3.7 cm) than control subjects. Resting coronary blood flow was greater in patients with aortic valve disease than in control subjects. There was a significant correlation between the ratio of the resting systolic to diastolic VTI (S/D ratio) and the ratio of the aortic systolic to diastolic pressure (r = .75, P < .001) in patients with AR. The S/D ratio was inversely correlated with left ventricular systolic pressure (r = -.92, P < .001) and positively correlated with the ratio of the aortic systolic to diastolic pressure (r = .68, P < .05) in patients with AS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that hemodynamic changes related to aortic valve disease contribute to alterations in the resting phasic coronary blood flow and velocity profiles observed in these patients.

Aortic Valve Insufficiency↗

Immunocytochemical localization of cathepsin D in rat junctional epithelium.

Localization of cathepsin D was studied in the junctional epithelium (JE) of healthy rat gingivae by immuno-light and -electron microscopy, by means of both the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method and a colloidal gold IgG method. At the light-microscopic level, cathepsin D was demonstrated in the JE and oral sulcular epithelium (OSE). Cathepsin D immunoreactivity was remarkable in the coronal portion of the JE and decreased toward its apical portion. However, cathepsin D immunoreactivity in the basal cell layer of the JE was negligible or negative. In the OSE, the granular layer was positive for cathepsin D. In the adjacent connective tissue, many macrophage-like cells (not clear at this level) close to the basal cell layer showed strong immunoreactivity. At the electron microscopic level, cathepsin D was found in the primary lysosomes and trans-cisternae of Golgi apparatus in the JE cells. These lysosomes were often fused together or were fused with cathepsin D-negative intracytoplasmic vacuoles to form secondary lysosomes, which indicated that intracellular digestion may have been in progress. However, neutrophils contained few gold particles based on cathepsin D. It is likely that the amounts of cathepsin D contained in the JE cells and macrophages are larger than those of cathepsin D contained in the neutrophils. These findings provided morphological evidence that JE cells have the same endocytotic capacity as macrophages and neutrophils, and that JE cells participate in the intracellular digestion that is carried out by lysosomal enzymes such as cathepsin D. It is suggested, in addition, that maximum intracellular digestion occurs in the coronal portion of the JE.

Animals↗